ATSU Board extends Magruder’s contract as president

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (2/10/09) -Peter W. Detweiler, chair of A.T. Still University’s Board of Trustees, announces that the Board has extended the contract of Jack Magruder, Ed.D., as president of the University beyond its original ending date of June 30, 2010. According to Detweiler, this multi-year extension will permit President Magruder to lead ATSU through the next strategic planning cycle now under way and carry it well into its implementation.

“The Board is delighted with the progress of ATSU under Jack’s leadership and looks forward to his continued guidance as our president,” Detweiler said. “The Board was enthusiastic and unanimous in its decision.” The action this past weekend concluded a regular board meeting at the Mesa, Ariz., Campus of ATSU.

Magruder, when told about his extension, said, “I am humbled, pleased, and delighted. A.T. Still is very close to my heart, and I would like us to continue to flourish.” As ATSU’s 10th president, Magruder said he is committed to working closely with students, faculty, and staff, as well as alumni and friends in both the Kirksville and Mesa communities and across the nation.

Beyond an upcoming accreditation site visit over the next week by a team from the Higher Learning Commission, Magruder will focus on strengthening the University’s governance structure, improving communication throughout the University, and beginning a strategic planning process with broad input from all constituents.

Magruder, who became acting president of ATSU on February 14, 2008, and president on April 1, 2008, also indicated that he will continue to focus on student learning and university-wide assessment. Detweiler, the chief executive officer of Alliant Bank in Kirksville, Mo., said that Magruder’s talents and experience make him the right person to continue to lead ATSU.

Magruder began his academic career at Truman State University in 1964 teaching chemistry. During his many years at Truman, he was not only a professor but successively held the posts of head of the division of science and vice president for academic affairs. On July 1, 1994, Magruder was named the 13th president of Truman State University, a position he held until retiring from Truman on June 30, 2003, with the titles president emeritus and professor emeritus of chemistry.

Magruder attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University), graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and mathematics. He has a master’s degree in chemistry and science education from the University of Northern Iowa and a doctorate in chemistry and science education from the University of Northern Colorado. Magruder is a 1992 graduate of Harvard University’s Institute of Educational Management. He was honored in 1999 by the University of Northern Colorado as the recipient of the Administration Achievement Award and was granted an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2002. Magruder was honored by receiving the 2003 Hall of Fame Award from the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Magruder served as a member of the Missouri State Fair Foundation Board and the Community Advisory Committee to the Missouri Foundation for Health. He is also past chair of the Blue Ribbon Panel for Accountability, Credibility, and Efficiency for the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. During his time at Truman, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees for The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, past chair of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education Committee on Transfer and Articulation, past president of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, past president of the Council on Public Higher Education for Missouri, and past president of the Board of Directors of the Truman State University Foundation. Prior to becoming ATSU’s president, Magruder served as a member of the Board of Trustees for ATSU, as well as chair of the Board’s Education/Research Committee.

ATSU enrolls more than 3,400 students in its Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Arizona School of Health Sciences, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and the online School of Health Management. The University has campuses in Kirksville, Mo., and Mesa, Ariz.

The University offers graduate degrees in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, human movement, athletic training, audiology, physical therapy, physician’s assistant studies, health administration, health education, public health, geriatric health, health science, and occupational therapy.

Originally established as the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, ATSU is the founding school of osteopathic medicine begun in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still, M.D., D.O.